Birgit Tarkus, Operations Support Manager

At first Birgit Tarkus just wanted to visit Barcelona to learn Spanish for a few weeks. Then, almost overnight, a part-time position at SELLBYTEL that was financing her language holiday developed into a promising career.

Ms Tarkus, a few weeks in Spain turned into a four year stay. What moved you to change your plans so suddenly and to stay at SELLBYTEL in Barcelona?

Working internationally and collaborating so well with my colleagues was something I really enjoyed! SELLBYTEL very quickly offered me realistic promotion prospects and possibilities of further training, so I could develop my skills as a customer support agent for a renowned US computer manufacturer. Besides, Barcelona is a breath-taking city that I immediately fell in love with. So everything pointed to me staying and finding my way here.

After just seven months, you were promoted to team leader/coach. After ten more months, you even made it to supervisor. How demanding on you were two promotions within this short space of time and the increased responsibility that accompanied them?

You grow with the job of course. And my colleagues and superiors always fully supported me. That gave me the security and the strength to tackle the job and get the tasks done.

You have lived a full four years in Spain and it is clear that Barcelona has become your second home. So what is bringing you, an Austrian, to Germany? Have you had enough of the Spanish temperament?

[Laughs] Certainly not, otherwise I would have hardly stayed in Barcelona for four wonderful, character moulding years. It just happened that SELLBYTEL offered me a unique opportunity to take on more responsibility as operations manager, and to build up a new project in Berlin. I simply wasn't able to resist.

How hard is it to say goodbye to your second home?

[Sighs] It's hard all right. You always leave somewhere with mixed feelings. After all, I got to know and value a great number of nice colleagues. And several really valuable friendships resulted from this. I'll hold these friends close to my heart regardless of where I live, and the world is a village anyway, thanks to the Internet. [Laughs]

What are you most looking forward to in Berlin?

The Berlin Currywurst (curry sausage) of course! [Laughs] – and naturally my new project!